Russia claims it downed 16 Ukrainian drones during overnight attack

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia claimed early Thursday that it downed 16 Ukrainian drones during an overnight attack on multiple regions.

A statement by the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that its air defense systems shot down four drones over the border region of Kursk, where Ukraine launched an incursion back in August.

The statement further claimed that one drone was intercepted over Russia's North Caucasian region of Chechnya, while another three were downed over the Russian Republic of North Ossetia–Alania.

It went on to claim that another eight drones were shot down over Crimea, which Moscow illegally annexed back in 2014.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said on Telegram that the sole drone intercepted over the region was downed over buildings of the special police regiment of the region’s Interior Ministry in the city of Grozny.

Kadyrov further said that four guards received minor injuries, while the drone’s detonation resulted in minor damages and a fire that was later extinguished.

Meanwhile, Sergey Menyaylo, the head of the Russian Republic of North Ossetia–Alania, said on Telegram that the drone attack over the region’s northern Mozdoksky district caused no casualties or damage.

Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on the attacks.